Dental Assistant Salary in Arizona

A dental assistant has a variety of duties to perform in his or her workplace. This includes preparing patients for the dental procedures that are meant to repair, protect and beautify their teeth. It is also a dental assistant’s responsibility to clean and sterilize the equipment used for such procedures. Just like in any other career, the financial aspect of this profession is very important. For one, it varies from different areas of the country as it is affected by a number of considerable factors. One of the crucial determinants of the dental assistant salary in Arizona is the type of industry or employer. Some of the major employers in this state include physicians’ offices, general medical and surgical hospitals and outpatient care departments. There are currently 6,000 individuals who are employed as dental assistants in this area. And based on the wage chart provided by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage for this profession in AZ is $34,000.

The highest 10 percentile of employees hired in AZ earn around $39,724 in a year while the lowest 10 percentile receive $18,950. Another major determinant of the dental assistant salary in Arizona is geographic location. Each city and region in this state has a different rate for this profession. For example, individuals who are employed in Chandler are paid an average of $31,000 each year while those in Gilbert Town make $32,000. The ones working in Glendale have a median annual wage of $31,000 while those in Tucson get a pay check of $30,000. The cities of Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe all have the same salary for their dental assistants which is $31,000 per annum. Aside from the basic pay that these individuals are getting, they are also entitled to some benefits. The list includes health insurance, dental and medical insurance and vision insurance. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more women working as dental assistants in Arizona as compared to men.

Work experience is also a considerable factor that influences the dental assistant salary in AZ. The entry level salary for this profession is $8.06 per hour. Those who have been in the industry for 1 to 4 years earn around $9.36 per hour while the ones with 5 to 9 years of work experience make $11.73. The hourly rate for dental assistants with 10 to 19 years behind them is $12.46 while senior dental assistants with 20 years or more of work experience get $13.61. One other way for a dental assistant to improve his or her salary is to pursue further knowledge and skill in this field. He or she can obtain a certification in any of the sub-fields of dental assisting. Their workplace can also affect their salary. Some of the major employers of dental assistants are general medical and surgical hospitals, physicians’ offices and outpatient care departments. The job outlook for this profession in AZ is expected to be really excellent. And as the need for these professionals increases, the salary is expected to go higher as well.

Arizona is one of the states that do not require its dental assistants to be licensed. However, interested parties should complete a training program in dental assisting. An associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in this course is sufficient to land anyone a job. One of the most popular schools in AZ is Apollo College. It has campuses in Phoenix and Tucson. This school aims to help people get better jobs and have an enriching life. It does offer financial assistance and scholarship programs to aspiring dental assistants. Another technical school in Arizona is Frotis College. This is located in Phoenix and its dental assisting program is sought after by many. The school is committed to help its students succeed, both in the classroom setting and in the career. In addition, there are dental assistant organizations in AZ that help out these professionals with their job. The Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners is in-charge of setting the requirements and standards for this field. It also does the qualification and licensure process for these individuals.